This Is How It Always Is Summary of Laurie Frankel's Book

Book Summary: This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

This Is How It Always Is is a thought-provoking and heartwarming novel by Laurie Frankel that delves into the complexities of family, gender identity, and the power of unconditional love. The story follows the Walsh-Adams family living in Washington state, as they navigate the challenges and joys of raising their youngest child, Claude, who dreams of being a princess despite being assigned male at birth. As they grapple with how to support Claude in expressing their true self, the family is faced with the dilemma of keeping Claude's identity a secret or sharing it with the world.

Characters

The Walsh-Adams family consists of Rosie and Penn, the loving and supportive parents of five boys. Claude, the youngest sibling, is a sensitive and creative child who dreams of wearing dresses and identifies as a girl. The older brothers, Roo, Ben, and Orion, play pivotal roles in Claude's journey of self-discovery, offering both support and challenges along the way. As the family navigates the complexities of gender identity, they are forced to confront their own beliefs, fears, and prejudices, ultimately coming to understand the true meaning of unconditional love.

Detailed Summary

The novel opens with the Walsh-Adams family moving to a new town in Washington state, in hopes of starting fresh after a traumatic event in their past. As Claude begins to express their desire to wear dresses and be referred to as a girl, Rosie and Penn are initially unsure of how to respond. Despite their unconditional love for Claude, they grapple with the fear of how society will react to their child's gender identity.

As Claude's desire to be a girl becomes more pronounced, the family decides to support Claude in expressing their true self privately, while keeping it a secret from the outside world. However, as Claude grows older, maintaining the secret becomes increasingly difficult, leading to a series of events that ultimately force the family to confront their own prejudices and fears.

As the story unfolds, Claude's journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as they navigate the challenges of growing up transgender in a world that can be both cruel and accepting. Through it all, Rosie and Penn stand by Claude's side, grappling with their own doubts and fears while striving to protect and support their child.

Analysis

This Is How It Always Is is a powerful and timely exploration of gender identity, family dynamics, and the resilience of the human spirit. Laurie Frankel handles the sensitive subject matter with grace and empathy, portraying the complexities of the transgender experience with nuance and authenticity. The novel challenges readers to confront their own beliefs and prejudices, while also celebrating the beauty of acceptance and unconditional love.

Frankel's writing is both poignant and humorous, capturing the essence of family life with all its joys and struggles. The characters are richly developed and the relationships between them feel incredibly real and relatable. Through the Walsh-Adams family, Frankel deftly explores the ways in which love and acceptance can transcend societal norms and expectations.

Overall, This Is How It Always Is is a moving and beautifully written novel that will resonate with readers long after they have finished the last page. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, understanding, and acceptance in a world that often struggles to embrace diversity.

If you enjoyed this summary, I encourage you to purchase the complete book or listen to the audiobook for the full experience of this captivating and thought-provoking story.

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